As the Universities welcome new students for the academic year 2025/2026, The University Academic Staff Union (UASU), Moi University Chapter have affirmed their commitment to ensure a smooth learning environment despite the longstanding financial and non-financial issues with the management of the one of the reputable universities in Kenya.
The announcement comes barely a week after the Union launched an industrial action to compel the employer to honour terms of reference outlined and agreed upon in the Return-To-Work-Formula (TRWF) signed in November last year.
Speaking in a press briefing media Monday, University Academic Staff Union (UASU) Moi University Chapter Secretary Busolo Wekesa noted that the employer called for a meeting with the Union in Nairobi on 22nd August to discuss on issues of concern, but it did not bear any fruits after the employer failed to commit enough in terms of honouring the agreement.
He emphasized that the academic staff are committed unreservedly to carry out duties as normal to ensure Moi remains the University of choice in nurturing innovation and talent in science, technology and development as he called upon the management to honour the terms in the 25-clause return-to-work formula agreed upon on November 30, 2024.
“We are not going on strike because we enjoy it or want a salary increase. Salaries are already determined. We are striking because this is the last option left to us,” said Wekesa.
Among the grievances raised are delayed and incomplete salaries, the alleged diversion of a Sh500 million bailout fund, lack of staff promotions for more than seven years, pension arrears of over Sh4.6 billion, and the suspension of medical cover that has left lecturers paying out-of-pocket despite deductions.
Other matters the management has failed to honour include the non-financial clauses, such as governance issues like the appointment of Deans and the freedom of academic staff to participate in union activities without coercion, which require no financial outlay.
UASU Moi University Chapter Vice Chairperson Linda Khaemba accused management of ignoring the union unless forced by industrial action, saying the move has eroded staff morale.
“Management attempted an unlawful redundancy exercise last year, which the union stopped in court. Yet they still refused to restore our members’ financial dignity, even instructing banks not to loan our staff,” she said.
Khaemba added that the situation has made it increasingly difficult for lecturers to mentor students while struggling with unpaid salaries, lack of healthcare and uncertainty about retirement benefits.
The union insists it is not demanding new benefits but only the fulfilment of agreements already signed.
The Union said its members have played their part in the RTWF, which included not intimidating the management, recovering the lost time which they did by sacrificing their holiday to teach to ensure the whole syllabus is covered and among other clauses touching on them.
“The university was also to do the other part. We did our part 100 percent. The university has done nothing. Things have worsened because we are still in CRB. No loan has been paid.
The money that we have been deducted is still there. This year, it is even worse. People are going home without pension,” said Okero Richard, the chairman of the UASU Moi University branch.
By Ekuwam Sylvester
